List of birds of Cuba

This is a list of birds species recorded in the archipelago of Cuba which consists of the main island of Cuba and over 1000 smaller cays and islands. The avifauna of Cuba includes a total of 368 species, of which 25 are endemic, 17 are globally threatened and 8 have been introduced by humans. Extinct species include the Passenger Pigeon and Cuban Red Macaw.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total species counts for Cuba.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. The commonly occurring, native, species do not fall into any of these categories.

• (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the archipelago of Cuba.
• (E) Endemic - a species endemic to the archipelago of Cuba.
• (I) Introduced - a species introduced to the archipelago of Cuba as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.

Loons

The Common Loon is an occasional visitor to Cuba.

Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae

Loons, known as Divers in Europe, are group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. It is the size of a large duck or small goose, which it somewhat resembles in shape when swimming, but is completely unrelated to these waterfowl.There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species that occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Common Loon	Gavia immer	(A)

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes. Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Least Grebe	Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-capped Petrel	Pterodroma hasitata
Cory's Shearwater	Calonectris diomedea	(A)
Sooty Shearwater	Puffinus griseus	(A) Near-threatened
Manx Shearwater	Puffinus puffinus	(A)
Audubon's Shearwater	Puffinus lherminieri	(A)

Storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wilson's Storm-petrel	Oceanites oceanicus	(A)
Band-rumped Storm-petrel	Oceanodroma castro	(A)
Leach's Storm-petrel	Oceanodroma leucorhoa	(A)

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes. Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-billed Tropicbird	Phaethon aethereus	(A)
White-tailed Tropicbird	Phaethon lepturus	(A)

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Pelecanidae

The Brown Pelican is common in Cuban coastal waters

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
American White Pelican	Pelecanus erythrorhynchos	(A)
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis

Gannets and boobies

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Northern Gannet	Morus bassanus	(A)
Masked Booby	Sula dactylatra	(A)
Red-footed Booby	Sula sula	(A)
Brown Booby	Sula leucogaster	(A)

Cormorants

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Double-crested Cormorant	Phalacrocorax auritus
Neotropic Cormorant	Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Darters

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas spread their wings to dry them after diving.

Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Anhinga	Anhinga anhinga

Frigatebirds

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens

Bitterns, herons, and egrets

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae

The Tricolored Heron, like other members of Ardeidae, flies with the neck retracted.

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species world wide and 12 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias
Great Egret	Ardea alba
Reddish Egret	Egretta rufescens
Tricolored Heron	Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron	Egretta caerulea
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron	Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	(A)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron	Nyctanassa violacea
Least Bittern	Ixobrychus exilis
American Bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus	(A)

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 1 which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wood Stork	Mycteria americana	(A)

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Threskiornithidae

The White Ibis, known in Cuba as the Coco

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White Ibis	Eudocimus albus
Scarlet Ibis	Eudocimus ruber	(A)
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	(A)
Roseate Spoonbill	Ajaia ajaja

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes. Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (1.5 m) high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Caribbean Flamingo	Phoenicopterus ruber

Ducks, geese, and swans

Order: Anseriformes. Family: Anatidae

The Cinnamon Teal is not resident in Cuba, but may be seen occasionally.

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Fulvous Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna bicolor
White-faced Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna viduata	(A)
West Indian Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna arborea	Vulnerable
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna autumnalis	(A)
Tundra Swan	Cygnus columbianus	(A)
Greater White-fronted Goose	Anser albifrons	(A)
Snow Goose	Chen caerulescens	(A)
Canada Goose	Branta canadensis	(A)
Muscovy Duck	Cairina moschata	(I)
Wood Duck	Aix sponsa
American Wigeon	Anas americana
Gadwall	Anas strepera	(A)
Green-winged Teal	Anas carolinensis	(A)
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	(A)
Northern Pintail	Anas acuta	(A)
White-cheeked Pintail	Anas bahamensis
Blue-winged Teal	Anas discors
Cinnamon Teal	Anas cyanoptera	(A)
Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata
Canvasback	Aythya valisineria	(A)
Redhead	Aythya americana	(A)
Ring-necked Duck	Aythya collaris
Greater Scaup	Aythya marila	(A)
Lesser Scaup	Aythya affinis
Bufflehead	Bucephala albeola	(A)
Hooded Merganser	Lophodytes cucullatus	(A)
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator	(A)
Masked Duck	Nomonyx dominica
Ruddy Duck	Oxyura jamaicensis

New World vultures

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Cathartidae

The Turkey Vulture is common throughout Cuba.

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion. There are 7 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas, and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus	(A)
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura

Osprey

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus

Hawks and kites

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Accipitridae

Sharp-shinned Hawk, recognizable by its dark red eyes.

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Hook-billed Kite	Chondrohierax uncinatus
Swallow-tailed Kite	Elanoides forficatus	(A)
Snail Kite	Rostrhamus sociabilis
Northern Harrier	Circus cyaneus	(A)
Sharp-shinned Hawk	Accipiter striatus
Gundlach's Hawk	Accipiter gundlachi	(E) Endangered
Common Black-Hawk	Buteogallus anthracinus
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus
Red-tailed Hawk	Buteo jamaicensis

Caracaras and falcons

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Northern Caracara	Caracara cheriway	(A)
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius
Merlin	Falco columbarius	(A)
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus

New World quails

Order: Galliformes. Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. There are 32 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas, and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Northern Bobwhite	Colinus virginianus	Near-threatened

Pheasants

Order: Galliformes. Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 1 species which has been introduced to Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ring-necked Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	(I)

Guineafowls

Order: Galliformes. Family: Numididae

Guineafowls are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which has been introduced to Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Helmeted Guineafowl	Numida meleagris	(I)

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes. Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched rather than retracted.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Sandhill Crane	Grus canadensis

Limpkin

Order: Gruiformes. Family: Aramidae

The unusual looking Limpkin is found throughout the Caribbean, South America and the southern United States.

The Limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab brown plumage and a greyer head and neck.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Limpkin	Aramus guarauna

Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots

Order: Gruiformes. Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black Rail	Laterallus jamaicensis
Clapper Rail	Rallus longirostris
King Rail	Rallus elegans
Virginia Rail	Rallus limicola
Sora	Porzana carolina	(A)
Yellow-breasted Crake	Porzana flaviventer
Zapata Rail	Cyanolimnas cerverai	(E) Endangered
Spotted Rail	Pardirallus maculatus
Purple Gallinule	Porphyrio martinica
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
American Coot	Fulica americana
Caribbean Coot	Fulica caribaea	(A) Near-threatened

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There are 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Northern Jacana	Jacana spinosa

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
American Oystercatcher	Haematopus palliatus	(A)

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Recurvirostridae

The American Avocet is occasionally sighted in Cuba, and is easily identified by its upward curving beak.

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-necked Stilt	Himantopus mexicanus
American Avocet	Recurvirostra americana	(A)

Plovers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
American Golden-Plover	Pluvialis dominica	(A)
Black-bellied Plover	Pluvialis squatarola
Semipalmated Plover	Charadrius semipalmatus	(A)
Wilson's Plover	Charadrius wilsonia
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus
Piping Plover	Charadrius melodus	(A) Near-threatened
Snowy Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus

Sandpipers, curlews, stints, godwits, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Scolopacidae

Long-billed Dowitcher

Ruddy Turnstone

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 86 species worldwide and 27 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wilson's Snipe	Gallinago delicata
Short-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus	(A)
Long-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	(A)
Hudsonian Godwit	Limosa haemastica	(A)
Marbled Godwit	Limosa fedoa	(A)
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	(A)
Long-billed Curlew	Numenius americanus	(A) Near-threatened
Upland Sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda	(A)
Greater Yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes
Solitary Sandpiper	Tringa solitaria
Spotted Sandpiper	Tringa macularia
Willet	Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres
Red Knot	Calidris canutus	(A)
Sanderling	Calidris alba	(A)
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla
Western Sandpiper	Calidris mauri	(A)
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla
White-rumped Sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	(A)
Pectoral Sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	(A)
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	(A)
Stilt Sandpiper	Calidris himantopus	(A)
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Tryngites subruficollis	(A) Near-threatened
Wilson's Phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	(A)
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	(A)
Red Phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius	(A)

Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
South Polar Skua	Stercorarius maccormicki	(A)
Pomarine Jaeger	Stercorarius pomarinus	(A)
Parasitic Jaeger	Stercorarius parasiticus	(A)
Long-tailed Jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	(A)

Gulls

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ring-billed Gull	Larus delawarensis	(A)
Great Black-backed Gull	Larus marinus	(A)
Herring Gull	Larus argentatus	(A)
Black-headed Gull	Larus ridibundus	(A)
Bonaparte's Gull	Larus philadelphia	(A)
Laughing Gull	Larus atricilla
Sabine's Gull	Xema sabini	(A)
Black-legged Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	(A)

Terns

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Sternidae

The Brown Noddy is the largest of the noddies and the only one found in Cuba.

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Gull-billed Tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	(A)
Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia	(A)
Sandwich Tern	Sterna sandvicensis
Royal Tern	Sterna maxima
Roseate Tern	Sterna dougallii	(A)
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	(A)
Arctic Tern	Sterna paradisaea	(A)
Forster's Tern	Sterna forsteri	(A)
Least Tern	Sternula antillarum
Bridled Tern	Onychoprion anaethetus
Sooty Tern	Onychoprion fuscata
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger	(A)
Large-billed Tern	Phaetusa simplex	(A)
Brown Noddy	Anous stolidus

Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black Skimmer	Rynchops niger	(A)

Auks

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Alcidae

The Dovekie or Little Auk resembles a penguin but is not flightless.

Auks are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits. There are 22 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Dovekie	Alle alle

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes. Family: Columbidae

The extinct Passenger Pigeon was once found in Cuba.

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Cuba. The extinct Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, was formerly found in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rock Dove	Columba livia	(I)
White-crowned Pigeon	Columba leucocephala	Near-threatened
Scaly-naped Pigeon	Columba squamosa	(A)
Plain Pigeon	Columba inornata	(A) Near-threatened
Eurasian Turtle-Dove	Streptopelia turtur
Eurasian Collared-Dove	Streptopelia decaocto	(I)
Mourning Dove	Zenaida macroura
Zenaida Dove	Zenaida aurita
White-winged Dove	Zenaida asiatica
Common Ground Dove	Columbina passerina
Gray-fronted Quail-Dove	Geotrygon caniceps	(E)
Key West Quail-Dove	Geotrygon chrysia
Ruddy Quail-Dove	Geotrygon montana
Blue-headed Quail-Dove	Starnoenas cyanocephala	(E) Endangered

Parakeets and parrots

Order: Psittaciformes. Family: Psittacidae

The Cuban Amazon is also found in the Bahamas and Cayman Islands.

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cuban Parakeet	Aratinga euops	(E) Vulnerable
Cuban Amazon	Amazona leucocephala	Near-threatened

Cuckoos and anis

Order: Cuculiformes. Family: Cuculidae

The Black-billed Cuckoo (left) and Yellow-billed Cuckoo can be distinguished by their beaks and the red colouring on the Yellow-billed Cuckoo's wing.

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-billed Cuckoo	Coccyzus erythropthalmus	(A)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	Coccyzus americanus
Mangrove Cuckoo	Coccyzus minor
Great Lizard-Cuckoo	Saurothera merlini
Smooth-billed Ani	Crotophaga ani

Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes. Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Barn Owl	Tyto alba	(A)

Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes. Family: Strigidae

The Burrowing Owl nests underground.

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bare-legged Owl	Gymnoglaux lawrencii	(E)
Cuban Pygmy-Owl	Glaucidium siju	(E)
Burrowing Owl	Athene cunicularia
Stygian Owl	Asio stygius
Long-eared Owl	Asio otus	(A)
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes. Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Antillean Nighthawk	Chordeiles gundlachii
Chuck-will's-widow	Caprimulgus carolinensis	(A)
Greater Antillean Nightjar	Caprimulgus cubanensis	(E)
Whip-poor-will	Caprimulgus vociferus	(A)

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes. Family: Apodidae

Like all swifts, the Chimney Swift rarely lands on the ground.

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species world wide and 4 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black Swift	Cypseloides niger	(A)
White-collared Swift	Streptoprocne zonaris
Chimney Swift	Chaetura pelagica	(A)
Antillean Palm Swift	Tachornis phoenicobia

Hummingbirds

Order: Trochiliformes. Family: Trochilidae

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. There are 337 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cuban Emerald	Chlorostilbon ricordii
Bee Hummingbird	Mellisuga helenae	(E) Near-threatened
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Archilochus colubris	(A)

Trogons

Order: Trogoniformes. Family: Trogonidae

The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 1 endemic species occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cuban Trogon	Priotelus temnurus	(E)

Water kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Cerylidae

Water kingfishers are medium sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 94 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Belted Kingfisher	Ceryle alcyon

Todies

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Todidae

Todies are a group of small near passerine forest species of endemic to the Caribbean. These birds have colourful plumage and resemble small kingfishers, but with flattened bills with serrated edges. They eat small prey such as insects and lizards. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 endemic species occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cuban Tody	Todus multicolor	(E)

Woodpeckers, flickers and sapsuckers

Order: Piciformes. Family: Picidae

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker may be extinct. It was last reported in 2005 and has not been seen in Cuba since 1987.

Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Cuba, one of which, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, may be extinct.

Common name	Binomial	Status
West Indian Woodpecker	Melanerpes superciliaris
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Sphyrapicus varius
Cuban Woodpecker	Xiphidiopicus percussus	(E)
Northern Flicker	Colaptes auratus
Fernandina's Flicker	Colaptes fernandinae	(E) Vulnerable
Cuban Ivory-billed Woodpecker	Campephilus principalis bairdii	(A) Critically endangered (possibly extinct)

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Tyrannidae

Willow Flycatcher

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust with stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain colouring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. There are 429 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas and 18 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Western Wood Pewee	Contopus sordidulus	(A)
Eastern Wood Pewee	Contopus virens	(A)
Cuban Pewee	Contopus caribaeus
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Empidonax flaviventris	(A)
Acadian Flycatcher	Empidonax virescens	(A)
Alder Flycatcher	Empidonax alnorum
Willow Flycatcher	Empidonax traillii	(A)
Eastern Phoebe	Sayornis phoebe	(A)
Great Crested Flycatcher	Myiarchus crinitus	(A)
La Sagra's Flycatcher	Myiarchus sagrae
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus	(A)
Western Kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis	(A)
Eastern Kingbird	Tyrannus tyrannus	(A)
Gray Kingbird	Tyrannus dominicensis
Loggerhead Kingbird	Tyrannus caudifasciatus
Giant Kingbird	Tyrannus cubensis	(E) Endangered
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus forficatus	(A)
Fork-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus savana	(A)

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hirundinidae

The Sand Martin, also known as the Bank Swallow, makes its nest in burrows

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Purple Martin	Progne subis
Cuban Martin	Progne cryptoleuca
Tree Swallow	Tachycineta bicolor
Bahama Swallow	Tachycineta cyaneoviridis	(A) Vulnerable
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx serripennis	(A)
Sand Martin	Riparia riparia	(A)
Cliff Swallow	Petrochelidon pyrrhonota	(A)
Cave Swallow	Petrochelidon fulva
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Regulidae

The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Regulus calendula	(A)

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterized by soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax, and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cedar Waxwing	Bombycilla cedrorum	(A)

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are 80 species worldwide (of which all but 1 are New World species) and 3 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Zapata Wren	Ferminia cerverai	(E) Endangered
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon	(A)
Marsh Wren	Cistothorus palustris	(A)

Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Mimidae

Gray Catbird

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their colouring tends towards dull greys and browns . There are 35 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Gray Catbird	Dumetella carolinensis	(A)
Bahama Mockingbird	Mimus gundlachii
Northern Mockingbird	Mimus polyglottos
Brown Thrasher	Toxostoma rufum	(A)

Thrushes, solitaires and bluebirds

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Turdidae

Bicknell's Thrush overwinters in Cuba.

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Eastern Bluebird	Sialia sialis	(A)
Cuban Solitaire	Myadestes elisabeth	(E) Near-threatened
Veery	Catharus fuscescens	(A)
Gray-cheeked Thrush	Catharus minimus	(A)
Bicknell's Thrush	Catharus bicknelli	(A) Vulnerable
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus	(A)
Hermit Thrush	Catharus guttatus	(A)
Wood Thrush	Hylocichla mustelina	(A)
Red-legged Thrush	Turdus plumbeus
American Robin	Turdus migratorius

Gnatcatchers

Cuban Gnatcatcher

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their build and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish grey in colour, and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub, and nest in bushes or trees. There are 15 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	Polioptila caerulea
Cuban Gnatcatcher	Polioptila lembeyei	(E)

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Muscicapidae

The Northern Wheatear was formerly classified as a thrush, and is a rare visitor.

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Northern Wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe	(A)

Crows

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cuban Palm Crow	Corvus minutus	(E) Endangered
Cuban Crow	Corvus nasicus

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sturnidae

The Common Myna is one of two introduced starling species.

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Common Myna	Acridotheres tristis	(I)
European Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	(A)

Estrildid finches

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in build and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 139 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Nutmeg Mannikin	Lonchura punctulata	(A)

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. There are 52 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White-eyed Vireo	Vireo griseus	(A)
Thick-billed Vireo	Vireo crassirostris	(A)
Cuban Vireo	Vireo gundlachii	(E)
Yellow-throated Vireo	Vireo flavifrons
Blue-headed Vireo	Vireo solitarius	(A)
Warbling Vireo	Vireo gilvus
Philadelphia Vireo	Vireo philadelphicus	(A)
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus	(A)
Black-whiskered Vireo	Vireo altiloquus

New World warblers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Parulidae

Bachman's Warbler may be extinct, but a possible sighting was made in Cuba in 2002.

The New World warblers are a group of small, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. There are 119 species worldwide and 43 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bachman's Warbler	Vermivora bachmanii	Critically endangered (possibly extinct)
Blue-winged Warbler	Vermivora pinus	(A)
Golden-winged Warbler	Vermivora chrysoptera	(A) Near-threatened
Tennessee Warbler	Vermivora peregrina	(A)
Orange-crowned Warbler	Vermivora celata	(A)
Nashville Warbler	Vermivora ruficapilla	(A)
Virginia's Warbler	Vermivora virginiae	(A)
Northern Parula	Parula americana
Yellow Warbler	Dendroica petechia
Chestnut-sided Warbler	Dendroica pensylvanica	(A)
Magnolia Warbler	Dendroica magnolia
Cape May Warbler	Dendroica tigrina
Black-throated Blue Warbler	Dendroica caerulescens
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Gray Warbler	Dendroica nigrescens	(A)
Black-throated Green Warbler	Dendroica virens
Blackburnian Warbler	Dendroica fusca	(A)
Yellow-throated Warbler	Dendroica dominica
Olive-capped Warbler	Dendroica pityophila
Pine Warbler	Dendroica pinus	(A)
Prairie Warbler	Dendroica discolor
Palm Warbler	Dendroica palmarum
Bay-breasted Warbler	Dendroica castanea	(A)
Blackpoll Warbler	Dendroica striata
Cerulean Warbler	Dendroica cerulea	(A) Vulnerable
Black-and-white Warbler	Mniotilta varia
American Redstart	Setophaga ruticilla
Prothonotary Warbler	Protonotaria citrea	(A)
Worm-eating Warbler	Helmitheros vermivorus
Swainson's Warbler	Limnothlypis swainsonii	(A)
Ovenbird	Seiurus aurocapilla
Northern Waterthrush	Seiurus noveboracensis
Louisiana Waterthrush	Seiurus motacilla
Kentucky Warbler	Oporornis formosus	(A)
Connecticut Warbler	Oporornis agilis	(A)
Mourning Warbler	Oporornis philadelphia	(A)
Common Yellowthroat	Geothlypis trichas
Yellow-headed Warbler	Teretistris fernandinae	(E)
Oriente Warbler	Teretistris fornsi	(E)
Hooded Warbler	Wilsonia citrina	(A)
Wilson's Warbler	Wilsonia pusilla	(A)
Canada Warbler	Wilsonia canadensis	(A)
Yellow-breasted Chat	Icteria virens	(A)

Bananaquit

Order: Passeriformes Family: Coerebidae or Genus Coereba Incertae sedis

The taxonomy of the Bananaquit is uncertain and it is placed in its own genus.

The Bananaquit is a small passerine bird. It has a slender, curved bill, adapted to taking nectar from flowers and is the only member of the genus Coereba (Vieillot, 1809) and is normally placed within the family Coerebidae, although there is uncertainty whether that placement is correct.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola	(A)

Tanagers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly coloured. They are seed eaters, but their preference tends towards fruit and nectar. Most have short, rounded wings. There are 256 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Scarlet Tanager	Piranga olivacea	(A)
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra	(A)
Western Tanager	Piranga ludoviciana	(A)
Western Spindalis	Spindalis zena
Red-legged Honeycreeper	Cyanerpes cyaneus	(I)

American sparrows, yellow-finches, honeycreepers and towhees

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Emberizidae

The Green-tailed Towhee is the smallest of the towhees.

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 14 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cuban Bullfinch	Melopyrrha nigra	(E)
Cuban Grassquit	Tiaris canora	(E)
Yellow-faced Grassquit	Tiaris olivacea
Black-faced Grassquit	Tiaris bicolor	(A)
Saffron Finch	Sicalis flaveola	(A)
Green-tailed Towhee	Pipilo chlorurus	(A)
Zapata Sparrow	Torreornis inexpectata	(E) Endangered
Chipping Sparrow	Spizella passerina	(A)
Clay-colored Sparrow	Spizella pallida	(A)
Lark Sparrow	Chondestes grammacus	(A)
Savannah Sparrow	Passerculus sandwichensis
Grasshopper Sparrow	Ammodramus savannarum
Lincoln's Sparrow	Melospiza lincolnii	(A)
White-crowned Sparrow	Zonotrichia leucophrys	(A)

Cardinals, grosbeaks and North American buntings

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of passerine birds that are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. There are 43 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus	(A)
Blue Grosbeak	Passerina caerulea	(A)
Lazuli Bunting	Passerina amoena	(A)
Indigo Bunting	Passerina cyanea
Painted Bunting	Passerina ciris	(A) Near-threatened
Dickcissel	Spiza americana	(A)

Blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles, and orioles

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Icteridae

The Greater Antillean Grackle is widespread.

The icterids are a group of small to medium, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. There are 98 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bobolink	Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird	Agelaius humeralis
Red-winged Blackbird	Agelaius phoeniceus
Red-shouldered Blackbird	Agelaius assimilis	(E)
Eastern Meadowlark	Sturnella magna
Yellow-headed Blackbird	Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus	(A)
Cuban Blackbird	Dives atroviolacea	(E)
Rusty Blackbird	Euphagus carolinus	Rare/Accidental
Greater Antillean Grackle	Quiscalus niger
Shiny Cowbird	Molothrus bonariensis
Brown-headed Cowbird	Molothrus ater	(A)
Hooded Oriole	Icterus cucullatus	(A)
Baltimore Oriole	Icterus galbula	(A)
Orchard Oriole	Icterus spurius	(A)
Cuban Oriole	Icterus melanopsis	(E)

Cardueline finches

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Fringillidae

A male Lesser Goldfinch

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cuba.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Lesser Goldfinch	Carduelis psaltria
American Goldfinch	Carduelis tristis	(A)

Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cuba, which was introduced.

Common name	Binomial	Status
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	(I)

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

References

• Lepage, Denis. "Cuba checklist". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=cu&pg=checklist&list=clements. Retrieved 20 April 2007. 
• Rafael Sanchez (2001-03-01). "Checklist of Cuban Birds". Birding in Cuba. http://birdingcuba.com/CHECKLIST.htm. Retrieved April 20, 2007.